An underground explosion killed nine coal workers at Carbonera Los Pinos’ La Ciscuda mine, 72km north of Bogota, Colombia.
Of the 15 workers involved in the explosion, three others escaped, and at least one was transported to Ubate Regional Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Colombia’s National Agency for Mining (ANM) suspects gas buildup as the cause of the blast, which occurred at least 600m below sea level on 4 May.
A site safety inspection on 9 April 2026 recommended sealing off unused coal extraction areas due to a potentially dangerous “accumulation of gases such as methane”.
Inspectors also recommended adding risks and hazards associated with collapses, explosions and coal dust control to the mine risk matrix.
“As the ANM has warned in its inspection visits coal deposits can present accumulation of gases, such as methane, as well as concentrations of coal dust, which requires the implementation of adequate ventilation systems and permanent controls to mitigate risks within mining operations,” the agency says.
“[ANM] expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and regrets this mining accident in which, thanks to timely rescue efforts, six miners were rescued alive.”
However, the agency did not confirm whether the recommendation was ever implemented.
“We deeply regret this tragedy and send a message of condolence, solidarity, and support to their families,” Cundinamarca provincial Governor Jorge Emilio Rey says.
“Response teams are reviewing the continuous gas-monitoring system to determine the feasibility of entering the Ciscuda seam through the mine entrance.”
Mining accidents frequently occur in central Colombia, where dozens of small coal and emerald explorers operate.
In 2023, 11 miners died in another coal mine explosion at Sutatausa. In 2020, another 11 perished from a mining accident in Cucunuba, Cundinamarca province.
Carbonera Los Pinos is an underground coal exploration company with assets mainly in South America.
Write to Richard Szabo at Mining.com.au
Images: Cundinamarca provincial Governor Jorge Emilio Rey via X
